Circuit-closer.



anni onion.

ALBERT B. CULVER, OF AGUASCALIENTES, MEXIC CIRC'UT-CLOSER.

r. tain new and useful Improvements in Cirries aA head 14 formed with a radially ex q, and particularly the contact.

-to' the coil.

vtridge holds thel hardened steel ball 18 in its ball race 20` in the disk 4trdge is pressed behind bya coiled spring 21 cuit-Closers, of which the following is a i specification. i This invention relates to circuit closers r timers for "internal combustion engines, I

y to that class thereof in which the contact is made by means of a ball ,i running over a contact terminal or plate. I An object of the inventionis to improve the means for carrying the bal-l which makes l A further object of the invention is to provide means for cleanin the surface of the terminal so that a perfect. Contact will be afforded.

lith these and other objects in view, the invention is hereinafter described and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichh Figure'dl is a longitudinal section of the device. 4ig. 2 is a cross section. Fig. 3 is a cross section of a modification.

Referring specifically to the drawings, G indicates a ring of fiber or other insulating material supported by a metal back 7 which has a cuff 8 fitting over a bushing 9 on the shaft 10 which is preferably the cam orvalve operating shaft of the engine. A. removable metal front 11 is secured. to the liber ring, which is also provided 'at suitable distances apart with brass contact plates or terminals 12 which Will be provided With-connections At each edge, on its internal surface, the fiber ring is rabbeted as at 13, forming a groove for the reception of waste or sediment swept from the ring. The inner surface of the ring is concentric Wth'the shaft.

The end of theshaft withinl the ring cartending tube yl5 which receives a cartridge or holder consisting of a tube 16 in which 1s fitted a disk 17. The inner tube or carouter end, in position to run over the inner surface of .the ring 6 and to close the circuit on reaching the terminals 12. This ball' rests against a series of balls 19 held in a 17, `forming ball bearings which prevent friction. The car- Specation of Letters Patent. Application led August 24, 1908. Serial N o. 449,93.'

' that by setting it at a slight Patented Feb. 9, 1909.

contained within the tube and pressing against the disk 17.

At a position diametrically opposite to the contact ball, the head carries a metal blade or cleaner 22 with a threaded stem 23 which screws into a liber bushing 24 set in a socket in the head. The purpose and function of this cleaner is to act as a brush to sweep lany dirt or deposits from the face of the Contact terminals 12 and to also clear the track of'the ball around the ber disk. The cleaner is adjustable, and it may be set in contact with the track if desired, but I have found that this is unnecessary, and distance, say 1/61 of aninch from the track, it performs its function, and will clear or points as much as is necessary. Any waste oil or sediment which might otherwise collect on the track is by the action ofthe described device swept laterally into the grooves at 13, and will remain there.

Instead of the blade 22, a brush, such as shown at 25 in Fig. 3, may be used, consisting of a bunch ofwires set in an insulating bushing 26.

The cartridge carrying the contact ball has a Working lit in the tube 15, and in consequence of the spring 21 the ball is held against the track and closes the circuit on passing over the terminals 12. rl`he ball bearings afforded by the balls 19 prevent friction to a great extent and at the 'saine time give a good circuit connection. Obvi ously the number of terminals 12 will be varied according to the number of cylin` ders in the engine, one side of the circuit, as usual, being grounded to the shaft 10Q The cleaninflr device obviates an objection heretofore found to exist, due to the collection of dirt or waste oil on the terminals, thereby preventing the rclosing of the circuit.

I claim:

1. ln a circuit closer, the combination of a ring having lcontact terminals therein, a contact device rotatable in the ringand across the terminals, and tallic cleaner rotatable in the ring with'said device and passing close to the terminals buD out of contact therewith, to dislodge foreign matter therefrom.

2. 'In a circuit closer, the combination of a ring having contact terminals therein, and a rotary contact device in the ring, having a ball which runs around the ring and across clean the contact an insulated meg shaft extending into the ring and provided ALBERT B CULVER 'die vterminals, and anti-friction bearings arranged to roil around the'ring and cross 10 Whiuh'said bail is mounted. said terminals. Y l

23, 11i-a circuit closer, the combination of ln testimony whereof, I affix my signature 2, ring having eontact terminals therein, s in presence of two witnesses.

with a head having a tube projecting toward f the rngya holder in said tube, having haii Witnesses: i bearings therein, and a ball held by the M. L1 MomoN, hoider and resting against said bearings and Geo. E. SEM. 

